embarrassing to the United States, that they were forced to renew their application for assistance, for the war could only be carried on by money furnished by France.

Another difficulty had shewn itself in the attitude of Vermont. Dissatisfied with the treatment which refused recognition of her existence as a state, in deference to New York and New Hampshire, the leading men had entered into negotiations with Clinton and Haldimand for the separation of Vermont from the federation, and for union with Canada. I have related the history of these transactions, and it is plain that had it been to the interest of Vermont to abandon the cause of congress, that course would have been followed.

The greatest dissatisfaction existed in the army. The men who had fought the battle of congress had been treated with harshness and wrong, the payment owing them had been evaded, and there was a common sentiment in all ranks that when their service was no longer needed, they would not even receive what was due to them, and would certainly be cast aside without consideration or care for their future. A promise of half pay had been given by congress the preceding year; but there was in New England extreme hostility to the measure as non-republican. The spirit, which in the first years of the troubles had created the difficulties with the mother country, was now prepared to reassert itself in opposition to the officers by whom their independence had been won, in setting aside their claim to be paid what was their due, and in refusing to extend them honest treatment.

On September the 13th the attack on Gibraltar was vigorously made by the combined fleets of France and Spain, aided by a land force of 40,000 men. By the morning of the 14th they had experienced an overwhelming defeat. The battery vessels specially constructed, from which so much had been expected, had been entirely destroyed. The fleet was driven off with a loss of 2,000 men, and the attack failed in every respect. In the weeks which followed, lord Howe

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succeeded in amply supplying the fortress with provisions, and thus this memorable siege ended.

There could now no longer be delay; the negotiations had to be determined in one form or another; there was either to be a cessation of hostilities, or war had to be continued with increased activity. Great Britain had arisen from the feeling of depression. The victory of Rodney, and the defence of Gibraltar by Elliott, had awakened the national spirit. France and Spain had, at least, been humbled; and if the prosecution of the war was still unavoidable, the power of endurance, which marks the British race, asserted itself in its full ancient strength to meet the trials of the future, whatever aspect of danger they might present.

CHAPTER II.

It is necessary to allude to the efforts for the attainment of peace made in the revolted provinces in 1779, at the instigation of Gérard, the French minister. The confusion into which the finances of France were rapidly falling had suggested this course, and had led France to induce Spain to make an offer of mediation. Spain, owing to her possessions in America, still maintained a powerful navy. She had no sympathy with the colonial claim of independence, for she dreaded that the example would affect her own colonies. She was, moreover, desirous of regaining Florida, with an accession of territory on the east of the Mississippi. The offer of Spain being rejected, she ranged herself on the side of France, and considering that the time was opportune to regain Gibraltar, she declared war against Great Britain.

Nevertheless, both Gérard and his successor, Luzerne, exerted themselves to promote peace, and strove to moderate the demands by which it could be negotiated. Each recommended that the United States, similarly to the Swiss and Dutch, should be satisfied with an indirect acknowledgment of their independence. All claim to Canada and Nova Scotia was discountenanced, while the pretensions of Spain to the possession of the territory east of the Mississippi received their strong support. It was likewise considered, that the right to fish on the banks of Newfoundland should not be pertinaciously demanded.

All the sectional interests of the United States were actively brought into prominence in the discussions which followed. Finally, the determination was formed that the Mississippi should be claimed as a boundary to the 31st degree of latitude, such being the northern limit of Georgia. The northern boundary was described in accordance with the

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proclamation of 1763, which defined the province of Quebec to be traced by the line from the high lands, meeting the 45th parallel, which it followed to the Saint Lawrence. Only the full unconditional independence of the United States would be accepted.

Massachusetts, however, persevered in the demands for the right to fish on the banks of Newfoundland, while Virginia claimed the free navigation of the Mississippi. Neither was specified as indispensable; but subsequently in the private instructions given, the right of fishery in Newfoundland was to be rigidly enforced.

Adams

Serious differences of view arose through the appointment of commissioners to conduct the negotiations. received the support of New England and Pennsylvania, Jay had the support of New York and the south. A compromise was effected, by Adams being nominated to treat with Great Britain, while Jay was sent to Spain to negotiate a loan of five millions, and to acquire the free navigation of the Mississippi. Shortly afterwards Laurens was appointed to proceed to Holland to obtain a loan in that country.

Towards the end of 1780 and in the first months of 1781, there was a strong desire for peace in the southern provinces, the basis to be the recognition of the independence of the States in some modified form. After the battle of Camden, it was proposed to attempt to enlist Spain in the cause, and to obtain her aid by the abandonment to all claim to the territory east of the Mississippi. France was still desirous that hostilities should cease, and at this date there was no ground for belief in the eventual success of the war. On the contrary, it was held advisable, if possible, for it to be brought to a close, if favourable terms could be obtained. Such was the general feeling of the provinces, except in the New England states. The latter had not suffered from the pressure of hostilities, except in the seaboard towns, which had harboured their privateers. The empress of Russia had offered her mediation to obtain a peace, and the emperor of Germany, at the desire of Great Britain, agreed to join in the attempt at

reconciliation. On the intelligence being communicated to congress by the French ambassador, five commissioners were appointed to act with France. Franklin, Adams, Jay and Laurens were selected, together with Jefferson, who subsequently, owing to the illness of his wife, declined to act. As George III. refused to entertain any proposition which had its basis in the independence of the United States, all negotiation ceased. The fact, however, is useful in shewing that at that date France was perfectly tired of the war, and it establishes the desperate condition of the provinces from which the surrender of Cornwallis alone redeemed them.

The above were the commissioners who subsequently with the British plenipotentiaries discussed the conditions of the treaty. For a time Franklin was alone in Paris; he did not, however, fail to communicate to Adams his correspondence with Oswald and Shelburne, and it was equally made known to de Vergennes. In their absence he carried on the negotiation, and, as early as the 9th of July he had submitted to the facile personage with whom he had to communicate the conditions which the United States would accept. He described as "necessary articles": 1. Complete independence and withdrawal of troops. 2. Settlement of boundaries. 3. The limitation of the boundaries of Canada to their extent previous to the Quebec act, if not to still narrower limits. 4. Freedom of fishery on Newfoundland and elsewhere, “as well for fish as whales." He also recommended additional conditions "as advisable," for the purpose of thoroughly attaining a complete reconciliation, viz. :

I. Indemnification of those ruined by the destruction of towns. Franklin valued the cost at from £500,000 to £600,000. The sum would not be ill bestowed, he said; it would conciliate many, and without it great animosity against Great Britain would be called forth. 2. An acknowledgment by act of Parliament of the error of England in distressing the colonies. 3. The ships and trade of the States to have the privileges granted to British ships and subjects.

At this interview Franklin declared that nothing could be